The café was closed on Monday, so Shichen took the chance to accompany Chisato Nishikigi and Takina Inoue to DA headquarters.
With both his staff off-duty, the shop couldn't open anyway. Tohru didn't tag along—not much point in her going. DA's HQ doesn't usually allow outsiders in, and Shichen had originally planned to use some special tricks to sneak in if needed.
Instead, he told Tohru and Yami to go have fun and enjoy the day off.
DA's base was tucked away deep in the mountains, surrounded by forest. It took multiple transfers and a long ride to get there. Next time would be easier—but let's be real, Shichen probably wasn't coming back.
Since they had a scheduled appointment, a sleek black car was already waiting at the station. Standing beside it was a poised, attractive woman in a business suit, pencil skirt, and black stockings—clearly not bothered by the summer heat.
As soon as she spotted them, she walked over with a smile.
"I've been expecting you—Nishikigi-san, Inoue-san, and… Shichen-san."
"Oh?" Shichen raised an eyebrow.
Guess he didn't need to break in after all.
"Please, hop in." The woman opened the back door without another word.
"Let's go, Shichen." Chisato pulled him inside. Takina followed.
The moment they were seated, Chisato didn't hesitate—she climbed right onto Shichen's lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Chisato, seriously?" Takina gave her a tired look.
"What? It's fine~" Chisato leaned back against Shichen and grabbed his hand, wrapping it around her waist with a cheeky grin. "We never get alone time like this."
Then she looked at Takina with a teasing smile.
"Wanna join us?"
"No thanks!"
"But it's so comfy~"
"Please stop talking." Takina shut her eyes like she was trying to tune them out.
"Aw~ Is Takina getting flustered?" Chisato giggled, looking back at Shichen.
"What do you think?" he said with an exasperated smile.
"Hehe~ fine, I'll stop teasing her."
Smooch.
Without warning, Chisato kissed Shichen on the lips. Her big eyes sparkled and her cheeks turned pink.
"You're unbelievable." Shichen laughed.
"Who cares~ There's no outsiders here."
"I'm literally right here," Takina said, eyes still closed, clearly done with both of them.
"You don't count, Takina~"
"I… uh…" She started to argue, but just gave up and stayed quiet.
"Heehee~ Shichen, gimme another one?"
"Can you not? Save it for later."
"Aww, okay~"
Soon, they arrived. Even from inside the car, Shichen could feel how tight the security was. The gate was more like a vault door—no guards, just dozens of cameras watching every angle.
Once the gate opened, the car slowly pulled in and stopped in front of a giant palace-like building that looked straight out of Europe.
Still holding Chisato, Shichen followed Takina out of the car. The woman who brought them didn't stick around—she just drove off.
The moment they stepped inside, they were hit with how huge the lobby was—like walking into an airport terminal.
Takina clearly knew her way around and led Shichen to the reception desk, where two women were waiting.
"Nishikigi-san, your physical test is in the medical wing. And you, Inoue-san?"
"I need to speak with Commander Kusunoki," Takina replied flatly.
"Sorry, she's currently in a meeting. Should be back in about two hours."
"That so? Then I'll—"
"Hey, look! Isn't that the girl who shot her own teammate?"
"She got kicked out of DA, right?"
"Didn't her whole team end up in the hospital?"
"Yikes. That's insane…"
Three Lycoris girls in uniform walked by, whispering just loud enough to be heard. Chisato and Takina were both wearing uniforms too—but Chisato's was red, the mark of a top-tier Lycoris.
"Huh? What are those girls mumbling about?" Chisato scowled.
"I'm heading to the training range," Takina said abruptly, then took off.
"Wait, Takina?"
"It's fine. You go do your test. I'll check on her," Shichen said, patting Chisato's shoulder.
"Got it. I'm counting on you, Shichen." She smiled and walked off.
"Don't worry." He ruffled her hair, then headed after Takina.
"Wait, that guy…"
"Relax, the commander gave him clearance."
"No, I mean—he's hot."
"Right?!"
Chisato rolled her eyes at the fangirling receptionists and headed toward the medical wing.
By the time Shichen got to the range, gunshots were already echoing. Only one person was there.
Takina had changed into her gear and was taking shots at the target. Her accuracy was perfect—every single round hit the bullseye.
Shichen quietly walked up and stood beside her as she fired.
Once she emptied the mag, she lowered her weapon, removed her scope, and looked back at him with a straight face.
"You're not gonna ask?"
"Ask what?" he said with a grin.
"About me getting kicked out for disobeying orders and shooting a teammate?"
"I don't buy it," Shichen said, shaking his head.
"Huh?" Takina looked genuinely confused.
"What? Not allowed to trust you?"
"No, it's just… why?"
"Because I trust what I see."
"What you see?"
"You're a hard worker. You get along with everyone at the café. You don't seem like the type to shoot a teammate. You were trying to save her, right?"
"I…" She looked down.
"But I guess no one else figured that out. They just assumed the worst." He reached out and gently patted her head.
Her long hair was soft and silky as always.
Takina didn't say anything, but she didn't push his hand away either.
"But I don't think that's the real reason they kicked you out~"
"Huh?" She looked back up, confused.
"Anyway, never mind that. I think I saw someone who couldn't stop staring at you earlier."
"Who?"
"No idea. Short bob, a few freckles."
"Her…"
"Was she the teammate you tried to save?"
"How'd you—no. She wasn't."
"Still, I bet you shot to save someone, right? Maybe she asked you to. Maybe you had no choice. Too bad nobody trusted your marksmanship."
"…Why do you believe in me so much?" Takina finally asked.
"Because I just do," Shichen said, smiling.
"You sure you're not just saying that? Is that how you sweet-talked Tohru and the others?"
"What? I'm genuinely sincere."
"That much sincerity, huh?"
"Yup. Every word."
"Are you trying to charm me now too?" She blinked, teasing.
"What do you think?"
"I think… maybe." She smirked.
"Heh." Shichen shook his head with a soft laugh.
"Well, you're pretty good—so you're Takina Inoue?"
A tomboyish girl with short hair suddenly appeared behind them.
"Hm?" Takina turned, frowning. She didn't recognize the girl.
"I'm Otome Sakura. Nice to meet you." Otome ignored Shichen entirely and reached out with a big smile.
"Uh… nice to meet you."
The moment they shook hands, Otome's grip tightened like a vise. Takina had to yank her hand free.
"Heard you ignored orders and shot your teammate. That true?" Otome asked, fake smile plastered on her face.
Takina stayed silent.
"Oooh, silence means yes? I guess shooting teammates is more satisfying than enemies, huh?"
"You—" Takina glared coldly.
"Scary~ No wonder they say you don't smile—except when you're killing. Then you can't stop."
"Where are you getting these lies?"
"Lies? Sounds awesome, though. Like some movie assassin—totally badass."
"You…"
SLAP!
A sharp crack echoed as Otome's cheek turned bright red. She stood frozen, staring wide-eyed at Shichen in disbelief.
He pulled his hand back, wrapped an arm protectively around Takina, and gently ruffled her hair again.
"Manager…?"
"Don't let trash talk fly. People like that? Just slap 'em," Shichen said with a smile.
"Who the hell are you?! What's a guy even doing here?! And you hit me?!"
"Is that a problem?" Shichen replied coolly, eyes cold.
"Who gave you permission to talk to my Takina like that?"
~~~
For Every 100 Powerstone = 1 Bonus Chapter! Please Vote for more Chapters!
Patreon(.)com/Bleam
— Currently You can Read 180+ Chapters Ahead of Others!